The EU registers a decrease in its livestock in 2023

Compared to 2022, the pig and cattle population decreased by 1%, while the sheep population decreased by 3% and the goat population decreased by 5%. In 2023, the EU had 133 million pigs, 74 million cattle, 58 million sheep and 11 million goats, as shown in the provisional data published today by Eurostat. In the EU as a whole, over the last decade, populations of all livestock species have declined, with the EU cattle population declining the least (5%) compared to 2013, followed by pigs ( 6%), sheep (9%). However, the number of goats in Europe experienced a sharp decline (15%) compared to 2013. While the declines in pig and cattle populations in 2023 compared to 2022 were moderate, this reality varies by Member State. By country, Croatia and Ireland recorded the largest decrease in their pig populations in 2023, down 10% compared to 2022, compared to Bulgaria and Malta which increased their populations by 21%. Latvia ...